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OPELIKA, Ala. -
The 18th-ranked New Mexico women's golf team jumped five spots to finish ninth at the prestigious NCAA Preview Tournament Sunday afternoon (Sept. 14) at the Grand National Course. The Lobos shot a 290 in the last round - the third-best round of the day - to finish with a three-round total of 310-305-290=905 (+41). UNM dramatically improved its scores each day to finish in the top-10 of the elite 18-team tournament, in which 17 of the 18 teams are ranked in the Golf Digest Preseason Top 25.

No. 1 Duke claimed the tournament championship with a playoff-hole victory over host and ninth-ranked Auburn. Both schools finished with three-round scores of 870 (+6). Carolina Liano of Pepperdine claimed medalist honors with a total of 70-75-66=211 (-5).

Talented freshman Ashley Rollins (Austin, Texas), who made the cut at this summer's U.S. Women's Amateur, lived up to the hype in her first tournament as a Lobo with a 15th-place finish (74-75-70=219). Rollins carded a team-best 70 (-2) on Sunday to finish +3 for the tournament.

Two-time Mountain West Player of the Year Kailin Downs (Jr., Bend, Ore.), who struggled on Friday with a round of 83, finished strong with a round of 73 (+1) on Sunday. Downs completed the tournament tied for 48th (83-75-73=231).

Christine Fernandez (So., Henderson, Nev.), also competing in her first tournament as a Lobo after transferring from Tulsa, shot even-par on Sunday after two rounds of 80. Fernandez finished tied for 53rd (80-80-72=232).

Katrina Leckovic (Sr., Buraby, British Columbia) was UNM's second-highest finisher after placing 45th. Leckovic shot her best round of the tournament on Sunday (75) to finish at +14 (76-70-75=230).